Moonstalker

"In the moonlight you hear the scrabbling of paws and a howl that seeps into your soul...you spot a relicoar and sigh softly before realizing.... it wasn't the source of the sounds.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Moonstalkers are humans who transform into canine-like beasts during the Full and New Moon phases. A moonstalker is hard to discern from a regular human but small set of secondary canines can be found above the human canines in the mouth. During their beast morph, they reach heights up to 9 feet and musculature grows significantly from that of the human body. Thick fur coats the body, canine like features emerge from the face and the secondary canines emerge past the human ones. Tails protrude from the spine to help balance the beast form as they change to something in between bipedal and quadruped.

Biological Traits

Moonstalkers come in a few varieties based upon the region in which they are born. Tribes closer to the more arctic climates have white fur while some living closer to the desert, have beige and tan furs.

Genetics and Reproduction

Reproduction is exactly the same as a human, however the specific genes must be passed on in order for a human baby to become a moonstalker.

Growth Rate & Stages

Exactly the same as human however moonstalker symptoms do not appear until puberty.

Ecology and Habitats

Due to discrimination, most known moonstalkers form tribes that live in remote areas away from the rest of civilization.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Moonstalkers living in tribes prefer to hunt in their bestial form due to the boosts in speed, stamina, strength and senses, however they are omnivorous. Those living among humans stick to other human practices.

Biological Cycle

Moonstalkers transform from human to their bestial form during full and new moons. This is uncontrollable, however as the moonstalker grows older, it gains the ability to change at will. Most moonstalker tribes remain in their bestial forms once they have mastered it for the majority of their life due to the physical prowess attained in that form.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Moonstalkers live in a basic hunter gather style society lead by pack alphas. Alphas are determined by rites of combat once the reigning male or female is too old. Due to this lifestyle, society deems the race as uncivilized, brutish and uneducated.

Facial characteristics

When a moonstalker is in human form, the only way to know it is a moonstalker is the secondary canines which poke out of top gums above the human canines.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Most tribes live in the more remote regions of the world but can be found anywhere if you look hard enough.

Average Intelligence

Most are of average intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As a human most senses are the same, however their sense of smell is impeccable in either form. In beast form the senses are elevated similar in form to that of a wolf or relicoar.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Typically the stronger the individual the more attractive it is seen by its peers.

Gender Ideals

No specific ideals as traditional gender roles are almost non-existant within the tribe. Males and females can be gatherers or hunters. Males and females can also fight for the roles of alphas.

Courtship Ideals

Traditionally if one moonwalker is interested in another, they bring offerings from their respective role, (A gatherer may bring and offer flowers or rare fruits/vegetables, a hunter pelts etc..) to demonstrate their capabilities.

Relationship Ideals

Pairs bond for life.

Average Technological Level

Not the most technologically advanced race, they maintain their reclusive-ness by building and scavenging everything they need. Rudimentary weapons such as bows and spears are most common among the hunters but that is not to say they haven't been able to acquire more sophisticated weaponry.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Common

Common Dress Code

Those not situated within the tribe usually dress as all other humans do depending on region. Those within tribes and are always in beastial forms generally only wear simple loincloths or simple leather armors when hunting.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Those living in tribes have close knit family groups and friend groups but are fairly standoffish to any outsiders. It is typical for group hunts between families and friends to occur when they have found bigger prey. Traditions and rituals are passed down through the generation and there is a deep sense of appreciation for others of their kind.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Battles rites are granted to anyone of age allowing them to fight in ceremonial battles for alpha roles. Coming of age hunt is a tradition of adolescents interesting in becoming hunters to go on a solo hunt for challenging quarry and if successful are granted battle rites. Coming of age gather is a tradition of adolescents interested in becoming gatherers to go on a scavenge for something rare and of value to the tribe and if successful are granted battle rites.

Common Taboos

Marrying or otherwise partnering outside of the moonstalker race.

History

The origin of the moonstalkers is unknown as information on their evolution has been lost to the ages. However due to stigmas about their society they are generally feared and cast out of normal society. Upon the discovery of the species, many were caught and used for sideshow like entertainment or put into slavery due to their natural strength. The practice has since died out however the lingering fear still remains and they are still discriminated against.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The moonstalkers generally avoid and hide their presence from others species due to discrimination against them.

Scientific Name

Homolycanthropus

Origin/Ancestry

Unknown

Lifespan

125 years

Average Height

Beast form: 7' - 13'

Average Weight

Beast form: 200lbs - 450lbs

Average Length

Beast form: 4'

Average Physique

Most are athletic naturally leaning towards the stronger more bulky side of human beings.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Colorings vary from blacks all the way to white with in betweens of grays and tans. All markings depend upon the region from which their tribe resides.